The No Confidence Motion on Wednesday 16th January resulted in the suspension of the second reading of the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill (you can read it here ).

On Thursday 24th January, it was confirmed that the second reading will now take place on Monday 28th January in the afternoon.

This Bill gives the government a blank cheque to repeal the EU law that gives EU nationals and others free movement and associated rights. It also gives ministers (rather than Parliament) more powers to amend existing immigration law through regulations, which are barely scrutinised by Parliament and rarely meaningfully opposed. The British public, rightly, was outraged by the violations suffered by the Windrush generation as a result of the hostile environment. The new Immigration Bill and White Paper do not learn any of the lessons of the Windrush scandal. Instead, they continue the worst aspects of the hostile environment, couched in the language of compliance.

We strongly believe it’s important that that MPs hear our views and feel the heat from outside Parliament from the outset of this process.

Therefore, we are organising a very short demo with other grassroots groups next to George V statue at Old Palace Yard, College Green on Monday 28th 1-2pm to coincide with the Second Reading of the Immigration Bill, with a big photo at 1:15/1:30.

The aim is to reframe conversation about the Bill in terms of defending migrants’ rights, ending the hostile environment, and putting the injustices of Windrush right.

The more people, banners, and placards the better – so please do join us on Monday!